Both hearings are at Cincinnati City Hall, Room 300 City Hall, 801 Plum Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 on:

• Monday, 1/30/2012 at 6pm
• Monday, 2/6/2012 at 1pm

We will meet outside City Hall at 5pm on Monday, 1/30 and 12pm on Monday, 2/6 to go over talking points, how to testify, and what to expect at the hearings.

Talking points:

• “We believe that Cincinnati can do better. We should be on the leading edge of the energy revolution, and we know the Queen city can be powered by 100% clean energy. The city should ask for bids that are forward-thinking, ambitious, and good for the health of communities and climate – that means challenging providers to offer at least 50% clean energy.”
• “100% clean, green, Queen city.”
• “Wind power is an industry that is ready right now. It has continued to meet demand throughout America and provides Cincinnati with the best opportunity to bring clean air, water, jobs, and a clean bill of health.”
• “Switching to renewable energy is about ensuring a future for Cincinnati that does not hurt our air, water, or health.”
• “Please accept natural gas bids only from providers who get their energy from non-hydrofracked sources.”

• Please emphasize these crucial points: flexibility, public benefit and consumer savings, greener is cheaper, investment in a safe and reliable power supply that protects health and quality of life.

Contact Natalie Fox or (740) 856-8084 for more information and to get involved. Opportunities include phone banking, canvassing, and visibility and comments inside and outside the hearings.

“EPA’s decision today to pursue pre-treatment standards for flowback water from frack sites is good news for the health of our communities and the environment,” said Deb Nardone.   “Proper treatment of this polluted water is vital to ensure clean drinking water for the millions of Americans that share water with the natural gas industry.

“As the EPA looks at this serious problem, we hope they take the opportunity to track the amount and content of waste water produced at each well pad.  A closer look at the water used in the hydraulic fracturing process allows for a better understanding of its effect on our communities.

“We look forward to working with the EPA to ensure these water standards are strong and we hope to continue to see the Agency protect our air, water and communities from the dirty natural gas industry.”

Read the Full Article Here!

Interested?  Apply to Today, the Deadline is Jan 20th!!!

Interested candidates should have BA/BS degree in Environmental Studies or a closely related field, at least 1-2 years of experience recruiting and working with volunteers in the environmental, political or other similar arenas. Candidates should have excellent written and oral communications skills, knowledge of environmental issues, demonstrated ability to work effectively with volunteers and to mobilize community activism. Applicants must be proficient in Microsoft office suite, social media networking, and web based content management systems.

Job activities include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting with coalition building, issue research, and event planning.
• Identifying funding and grants sources to advance conservation priorities.
• Working independently and as part of team in order to achieve campaign goals.
• Updating website and social media accounts regularly.
• Creating flyers, brochures, post cards, and educational materials.
• Writing newsletter articles and press releases.
• Creating Convio emails, action alerts, and events.
• Coordinating media outreach and inquiries.
• Presenting to community, political, and governmental bodies
• Collaborating efforts with national, chapter and group staff
• Recruiting new members, volunteers, and leaders

To apply, submit cover letter and resume to Tony Szilagye, Ohio Chapter Conservation Chair, at 3000aws@gmail.com. Application deadline is Jan 20^th, 2012.  Part time position, 20 hours/week including evening and some weekend hours. Currently funded for 1 year but may be extended. Frequent travel to sierra club group meetings transportation requiered. Competitive salary, with benefits.

Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce.

Ohio Chapter Sierra Club, 131 N. High St. Columbus Oh 43215

Call on Rep. Hall Today!

On New Years weekend a magnitude 4.0 earthquake hit Youngstown and the Mahoning valley. The epicenter of these unussual earthquakes was D & L Energy Inc’s fracking waste water disposal site.  Ohio needs to stop the fracking frenzy until adequate regulations can protect public health and ensure the safe disposal of fracking fluid.

Please Call on Rep. Hall 614-466-2994 for passage of H.B. 351 to protect Ohioans from fracking!

Ohio House Bill 351, would regulate injection wells and create safeguards for the public and environmental health.  However, House Bill 351 is stuck in the Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee.

Representative Hall, 614-466-2994

I am calling today in regard to House Bill 351, which would protect Ohioans from fracking waste water by

• requiring the disclosure of chemicals used in the process of fracking
• provide funding for baseline water testing  
• and outline a plan for disposal of fracking waste. 

Given the recent earthquakes in youngstown over new years weekend, I am requesting that you prioritize hearings for HB 351.  I believe the lack of information on what chemicals are being injected into the ground and the uncertinity of geological effects are compelling reasons to immediately hold hearings on HB 351.  Thank you for taking my call and protecting the public safety. 

…And Thank You, for taking action.  Hundreds of concerned citizens will be gathering Tuesday Jan 10th at the Statehouse to join you in calling on Ohio’s Legislature to protect us from fracking.  Together we can make a difference and stop the madness.

2012_OHIO_CHAPTER_RETREAT AGENDA

Deer Creek State Park Jan 21st and 22nd

Join Sierra Club members and staff from across the region January 21st and 22nd at Deer Creek State Park for the 2012 Ohio Chapter Retreat.  The annual Retreat is free for Sierra Club members and open to all,  as we celebrate our victories and look forward to the challenges ahead.  

Please RSVP to arrange lodging reimbursement, food prefrences, and learn more about the 2012 Retreat!

Contact Natalie Fox at natalie.fox@sierraclub.org or (614) 461-0734 x 301 for more information or to discuss setting up a home energy audit in your area.

Candidates must be students and be able to come to our downtown Columbus office once a week, participate in events as they arise, and conduct research outside of the office. The expected workload is 10 hours per week for 10 weeks for a 100 hour internship. You will receive a stipend applied to your college or university account.

Scheduling is flexible, but one office day per week is required, as is helping staff occasional events. Contact Natalie Fox at (614) 461-0734 x 301 or natalie.fox@sierraclub.org for more information and to apply.

You can participate in this webinar from anywhere you have a computer and internet access.

You will learn: the basics of energy efficiency, how to save money and energy, energy efficiency talking points, energy efficiency policies, and building codes information.

Registration is limited. E-mail natalie.fox@sierraclub.org for more information and to sign up.